A substantial reduction in the number of big earners on the staff has already taken place and it is clear that they will not now be replaced by players of similarly high profile. That is partly a result of the SRU's financial restraints but also because of the effect of the World Cup on Test players' availability next season.
Rather than spending money on established performers who will not play for them next season, the change of tack means Glasgow will be able to afford a bigger squad - around 31 - than had been expected. All bar a handful - Graeme Beveridge, Gordon Bulloch, Andy Henderson, Glenn Metcalfe, and Jon Petrie are their main World Cup contenders - should be together for most of a packed season of Celtic League, Celtic Cup, and European Cup action.
"Signing one of them would have meant making sacrifices elsewhere," said their chief executive, David Jordan, of Andy Craig, Ben Hinshelwood, and James McLaren, confirming a policy rethink. "All three of them have contractual obligations anyway, so it is a case of being hard-nosed about it and considering how often we would see one of them in action next season. So why not wait another year?"
Glasgow are trying to rebuild, not quite from scratch but on a major scale, with Gordon Simpson and Ben Daly expected to join the exodus.
Sean Lamont is set to leave Zurich Premiership-bound Rotherham to join Glasgow. It also seems likely they will sign a young winger from the club game. Aberdeen's Dave Millard, Rob Dewey (Kirkcaldy), and Andrew Turnbull (Watsonians) are all in the frame.
Jordan said they were close to finalising their squad, but acknowledged that the inexperienced nature of the group meant they were now more likely to recruit at least one front-five forward from outside Scotland as they look for battle-hardened individuals at prop and lock.
Gordon McIlwham and Matt Proudfoot are still thought to be in the frame at prop while other options include looking towards Wales where a number of players are available as nine Premiership sides merge into five squads with an emphasis on Welsh-qualified players.
Glasgow's full-time squad for 2003/04:
Already under contract Alan Bulloch, Gordon Bulloch, Lee Harrison, Andy Kelly, Rory McKay, Glenn Metcalfe, Moffat">Stuart Moffat, Kenny Sinclair.
New terms agreed Graeme Beveridge, Andy Hall, Andy Henderson, Calvin Howarth, Rory Kerr, Donny Macfadyen, Joe Naufahu, Jon Petrie, Nathan Ross, Jon Steel, Andy Wilson.
Incoming Sean Lamont (from Rotherham), Cammy Mather (Leeds), Paul Dearlove, Dan Parks (both Australia), Sam Pinder (New Zealand), Simon Gunn (Borders), Euan Murray (trainee contract), Graeme Morrison (Glasgow Hawks).
Negotiating , Ben Daly, Gordon Simpson.